Our Lady of Fatima eager to make a splash at Super 12
Our Lady of Fatima is primed and ready to make an impression in their maiden appearance at the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament, which takes place in Bloemfontein at Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje, from 7 to 9 August.
“Our team has been working hard in the lead-up to the tournament, and we’re excited about the opportunity to compete,” Matthew Smith, the school’s Head of Hockey, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Our Lady of Fatima has a strong hockey culture and has long been a strong competitor in KwaZulu-Natal, giving their more renowned coastal neighbours, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, and Durban Girls’ College a good run for their money. They have also consistently been fierce campaigners at the annual St Mary’s Waverley Festival.
Despite their impressive resume, they had previously never qualified for the Super 12. In 2025, though, they became the 25th team to earn an invitation to the prestigious 10-year-old tournament. The Durban North school is one of three KwaZulu-Natal teams in the lineup, joining St Anne’s Diocesan College, and St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.
They open their Pool B challenge with a challenging encounter against last year’s bronze medallists, Paarl Gimnasium. They’ll also be up against the Eastern Cape’s DSG Makhanda and Collegiate Girls’ High, Pretoria’s Die Hoërskool Menlopark, who won the St Anne’s Cup earlier this season, and St Anne’s, who have qualified in back-to-back seasons for the first time in their history.
The idea of being the new kids on the block at one of the premier hockey events on the girls’ schools’ calendar could be daunting. However, Our Lady of Fatima is excited to be competing against the country’s best hockey-playing sides, and Smith and his charges are focusing inwards, not outwards.
“We’ve been focusing on sharpening our basics, building team cohesion, and improving our tactical awareness,” he explained.
“We’ve had a solid run of training and a few challenging fixtures that have helped us identify key areas to improve. Fitness and discipline have also been central to our approach this season.”
Smith’s side is captained by Jenna Shaw. Industrious and skilful, she leads by example. Shaw was a member of the KZN Coastal u18A team, enjoyed a strong showing at the SASHOC u18 National Week, and was rewarded with a place in the SA u18B side at its conclusion.
Success sometimes comes at a cost, and that means Charly-Rose Boyall, the leading goal scorer at the SASHOC u16 National Week and winner of the Most Valuable Striker Award, will miss the Super 12 as she prepares to represent South Africa u16A against Zimbabwe u16A between 12 and 15 August.
Our Lady of Fatima does, however, also feature Emily Hughes and Isabella Slater, who turned out for the KZN Coastal u16B side, and Zoey Quigley, who played for the KZN Coastal u16C team.
While the Durban’s sides stars will likely be the cornerstones of their challenge, Our Lady of Fatima’s greatest strength will be their ability to coalesce and play as a unit. It’s been the key to their success and qualification for the Super 12, and they’ll stick to that tried and tested formula in Bloemfontein.
“We’re aiming to play consistent, competitive hockey throughout the tournament and just show other schools that we belong here.” coach Matthew Smith said.
“While winning is always a motivator, our main focus is on playing to our potential, staying connected as a team, and representing our school with pride and sportsmanship.”
